Crabbers Loom As Big Favorite

They have the experience of playing in last year's Group AAA state semifinals. They have the Peninsula District's top two returning scorers. They have the athleticism to drive teams crazy.

The "they" is Hampton's girls basketball team, and the Crabbers are the favorite to repeat as district regular-season champions.

"Who else?" Menchville coach Phil Forbes said when asked his take on the PD favorites.

"Geez, I don't see anybody that's going to be able to touch them," Woodside coach Mike Tallon said.

N.C. State-bound C.C. Bozeman is a 5-foot-10 guard who averaged 16.6 points a game last season, and sophomore guard Tia Walker returns to run the point after averaging 14 points.

"They're just loaded with skill players and quick players," Forbes said. "If you let them get ahead of you, you can't play zone, and they're going to spread the floor and put five quick guards out there and you can't hang with them."

Ever the diplomat, Hampton coach David Six said, "We should be competitive with the experience we have coming back."

If Hampton runs away with first, plenty of teams will compete for the next five spots.

"I think you've got Phoebus, Heritage is going to be good, you can't count out Woodside, and Gloucester will be in the thick of it," Forbes added. "For teams 2-6, it's going to be a pretty tight race."

* OUTLOOK: Hagans is the only new coach in the district this year. Five seniors, including 6-foot Lipford, who will play center and forward, will lead the Bruins. Hagans has expectations for several of the newcomers.

* OUTLOOK: Edwards averaged 10.1 points per game last season and returns to anchor a roster with only three returning players. White will play the other guard spot and Sutton will play up front. The Patriots have little size, with only two players at 5-11 or taller. Marinke says the team will rely on its quickness to make things happen at both ends of the floor. Two freshmen -- Cruz and Dantzler -- are expected to contribute.

* OUTLOOK: The Dukes are set at the guard spots with Funk at the point and Jenkins at 2-guard. Of Funk, Riley said, "She has great court presence and awareness and is a leader on the floor." Gloucester is young but does have some returning experience with Clinton and Taylor up front. Riley expects Jarvis to be solid defensively at guard. The Dukes will need big years from all of their returning players to crack the top half of the district.

* OUTLOOK: Hampton has arguably the district's top returning player in Bozeman, who averaged 17 points per game. Six calls Walker, who averaged 16 points per game, "a terrific ballhandler and scorer," and Lewter "ultra-quick -- she sets the tone defensively." Tyler again will be the point guard. A question mark for the Crabbers is inexperience up front, where Lewis and Spriggs will be sought to contribute right away. "Ashley and Evelyn give us a defensive presence inside," Six said, "and an opportunity to score inside. Most of our scoring last year came from the perimeter."